Inconsistent Policies On Hybrid Inverters Affecting Growth: Tiku

Inconsistent Policies On Hybrid Inverters Affecting Growth: Tiku

Notwithstanding the clarity coming from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) on the applicability of hybrid inverters PM Surya Ghar, its adoption seems to be hit by several hurdles. Inverter manufacturers said that the lack of clarity on the policy has affected their growth in the country.

The companies believe that the hybrid inverters have huge potential in Tier I and Tier II cities. “Hybrid inverters have immense potential in Tier I and Tier II cities. Many of the consumers living in weak grid areas and want to use power at night at their preferred timing. For this, storage can act as a bridge. These demands can be catered through hybrid solar inverters,” Sunil Tiku, Country Manager at SOFAR said.

Policy Gaps In PM Surya Ghar 

Tiku also said a lack of policy level implementation in some states has hampered its prospects. “Many states are now allowing use of hybrid inverters under PM Surya Ghar scheme but some states are still reluctant to allow these under the scheme., This bridge in policy level implementation has slowed down its adoption and demand,” he said.

Tiku said that SOFAR has given sample hybrid inverters to some of its clients and is now ready with its hybrid inverter range. “We are now ready to offer hybrid inverters for the residential rooftop solar market. We can give it either as an integrated package (inverter+storage) or standalone inverter and standalone storage. We are hopeful of a higher demand for hybrid inverters. With more states adopting it, we can have a very good demand in the sector.”

SOFAR’s Inverter Supply In India 

SOFAR till now has shipped around 5 GW of solar inverters in India and around 31 GW globally. It has been operating in the Indian solar market for the last eight years. It is offering solar inverters for the Indian market between 1 kW to 350 kW, ranging its products from the rooftop segment to the utility scale market.

He also said that the PM Surya Ghar scheme picked pace and witnessed appreciable connections in the initial phases, but later due to the shortage of DCR cells, rooftop solar connections came down leading to lesser supplies of solar inverters in the market.